I am incredibly lucky to own and work alongside my two school dogs. Not all dogs are suited for school life, and it’s important to recognise that not every dog would enjoy the experience.

I had the privilege of working with Takoda, my first school dog, until he passed at age 11. Though his loss was heartbreaking, Milo has continued by my side, making a profound impact through one-on-one targeted interventions and larger class, school, or community events.

Milo is a trained as a ‘Burns By Your Side’ Reading dog, trained up to Gold Kennel Club Standard and having passed rigorous testing by the team at the Burns Foundation, a local charity. His temperament and skills make him ideally suited for school life. As his handler, I undergo safeguarding training and know who the safeguarding officer is, as well as the reporting procedures. I ensure risk assessments and appropriate insurances are in place, keeping both Milo and the learners safe.

Ensuring the dog’s health, welfare, and well-being

For me, the most important element of having a school dog is the dog’s health, welfare, and wellbeing. It’s crucial that I understand what Milo is communicating and make sure he is always happy and comfortable in school. Our strong bond helps me read his body language, ensuring he is never stressed or placed in a situation where he feels unsafe. This attention to Milo’s wellbeing starts before we even enter school.

Milo has regular health checks, is vaccinated, treated for parasites, and groomed to maintain his health. He loves his grooming routine, which gives me the chance to check for any signs of discomfort. His “spa day” the night before school is one of his favourite activities!

Milo also has a unique way of letting me know if he’s ready for school. He has his own school dog bag, which includes his jacket. If he’s excited to go, he’ll sit to have the jacket fitted. On one occasion, though, when he had the start of an ear infection, he simply turned and went back to his bed. Listening to him helps me ensure he’s always comfortable and ready for the day ahead.

Creating an enabling environment and routine

In school, Milo has a designated toileting area, and all staff and students receive guidance on how to approach him and ask for permission before greeting him. His body language and interactions are closely monitored, and if at any point Milo signals that he’s had enough, the interaction ends. Milo’s presence is announced in the foyer, but he is always kept on a lead and supervised to ensure everyone’s safety.

All of Milo’s sessions are carefully planned and targeted using a child-centred approach, with collaboration from myself, the learner, the head teacher, class teacher, and parents/carers. Group sessions involve support staff, and all interventions are designed with clear goals and outcomes.

Before any one-on-one intervention takes place, I always seek permission from parents or carers. In these sessions, Milo supports learners through reading activities, sharing a book, and creating a calm, inviting space that promotes confidence and well-being. Using a co-regulation approach, Milo helps build relationships in a non-judgmental way, offering a calming presence. These sessions aren’t just about reading; they often involve picture books, outdoor activities, and even learning through play, using games and resources tailored to the learner’s needs.

Milo works one-on-one or in small groups of up to four learners, over an hour, with sessions lasting either half or a full term, depending on the needs of the learners. Beyond this, Milo plays a holistic role in the school through whole-class reading sessions, well-being workshops, and community-linked events. He has also supported school-wide celebrations, assemblies, and even had the honour of reading with children at Crufts 2024 in the Kennel Club Bark and Read area.

Throughout every interaction, I closely monitor both Milo and the learners. If either shows signs of stress, the session ends positively. In group settings, trained supporting adults assist me to ensure the interactions are safe and beneficial for everyone involved.

Milo has frequent comfort break in a designated area and his bed and water bowl are strategically placed gave him the choice to take a break when needed, ensuring that Milo was always comfortable.

Involving the community

A recent community event highlighted just how special Milo is. We planned a well-being session that brought together our youngest students with their parents and older community members. This was helpful to help them all understand the reasons why we have dogs in our school. The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and engagement, and Milo instinctively knew who needed his attention.

Watching him calmly interact, providing comfort where it was needed most, filled me with pride.

Milo’s work is truly remarkable, and he continues to amaze me with his ability to make a difference. Whether through individual sessions or larger community engagements, his presence brings joy, comfort, and support to everyone he encounters – especially me.